From: Vitor Valeri
How to Set Up a DAC on a Windows PC - In the photo, a Topping D70S (Image: Vitor Valeri/Hi-Fi Hub)
When purchasing an external DAC to be used via USB on a PC, it is possible to significantly improve sound quality compared to the audio output provided by the computer’s motherboard sound card. There are several advantages to making this choice; however, you can extract the maximum performance from your audio equipment only if you know how to configure it properly. For this reason, I had the idea of creating a step-by-step guide.
Using an external DAC instead of the PC’s on-board sound card, whether on a desktop or laptop, can provide several benefits for audio playback. These include:
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It is important to take certain precautions before connecting your external DAC to the PC. These include:
The DAC package does not always include all the cables you need, or the included cables may be of low quality and lack shielding. Look for this information in the manufacturer’s manual and also at retailers if you decide to purchase shielded cables separately. Search for shielded RCA, XLR, USB, and coaxial cables, as well as a shielded power cable, which is often overlooked.
It is also important to verify whether your residence has proper grounding and whether the outlet you are using is grounded (i.e., includes a ground wire).
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When connecting your external DAC to the PC for the first time, you should:
Verify whether there are specific driver versions for your DAC model or a universal driver designed for multiple models. Driver installation is important to enable direct access from applications to the DAC, without interference from the operating system’s audio mixer.
To access the Windows audio mixer, follow the steps below:
Step 01: Click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of the screen.
Step 02: Select the two parallel lines icon next to the volume bar.
Step 03: Click “More volume settings,” located just below the “Volume mixer” section.
Step 04: In the “Output” section, locate the name of your external DAC and click the arrow on the right.
Step 05: Under “Output settings,” next to “Format,” click the bar displaying information similar to: “32 bit(s), 44,000 Hz (Studio Quality).”
Step 06: Select the option “24 bit(s), 192,000 Hz (Studio Quality).”
You have now defined the format that Windows will use when sending audio data to the external DAC. Note that this configuration will only be followed by applications that do not offer exclusive access to the DAC.
Also known as “bit-perfect,” exclusive access allows an application to transmit audio data from the PC to the DAC without interference, preventing changes in volume, sample rate, and bit depth.
On Windows, only the music streaming applications Tidal and Qobuz currently allow direct connection to an external DAC, bypassing the operating system’s audio mixer. For local music playback, options include AIMP (Artem Izmaylov Media Player), Album Player, foobar2000, JRiver, Hysolid, and MusicBee.
Applications such as Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Amazon Music do not provide features that allow a direct connection to the external DAC while bypassing the Windows audio mixer.
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The Windows mixer combines the audio from all applications running on the PC, forcing them to share the same volume level, sample rate, and bit depth.
When you change the audio format resolution, for example, to 24 bit(s), 192,000 Hz (Studio Quality), Windows converts all application audio to that configuration.
If an application does not support the selected resolution, it may crash. Therefore, be careful not to select excessively high values. I recommend “24 bit(s), 192,000 Hz” because this is the maximum supported by all streaming services. If any application crashes, try reducing the values.
Some external DACs can function as preamplifiers and feature more than one analog output. More affordable models usually provide only RCA outputs and may not include preamplification functionality.
If your DAC includes a preamplifier control feature, useful for connecting it to active speakers or power amplifiers, it is advisable to keep this function enabled. This allows you to attenuate the voltage (V) sent to the amplifier. However, if you prefer to control volume through a headphone amplifier, it may be beneficial to disable preamplification and allow the DAC to operate at its maximum output voltage.
When preamplifier control is enabled, you will see a value such as 0.00 dB. At this point, there is zero voltage attenuation, meaning the output is at its maximum level (for example, a maximum preamplification of 2 V on the RCA output).
When you press the button to reduce preamplification, a value such as −1.05 dB will appear. This indicates that the voltage being sent to the amplifier is being attenuated, similar to reducing volume through the DAC (for example, a preamplification level of 1.5 V on the RCA output).
Each DAC has its own method for enabling and disabling preamplification. Below is an example image of the menu from the Topping D70S DAC.
I usually keep the D70S in DAC mode because I use the amplifier to control volume and want the DAC’s preamplification set to the maximum level the device can provide. In this mode, the display shows the word “DAC” instead of −0.00 dB.
It is possible to use two outputs simultaneously on a DAC if it includes both RCA and XLR outputs. If, for example, you are not using the XLR output, in some cases you can disable it and leave only the RCA output active. This allows an increase in the maximum preamplification level of both the RCA and XLR outputs on the D70S, from 2 V to 2.5 V and from 4 V to 5 V, respectively.
When both RCA and XLR outputs are used simultaneously on the D70S, the display shows “R+X” next to the currently selected digital input. In this case, the USB input is being used, but it could also be optical, coaxial, or another available input.
These configuration tips for external DACs on Windows PCs can help slightly improve the audio playback experience. However, each user has a solution that best fits their needs, making it important to choose DACs with features and connections that are appropriate for your specific use case. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below.
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